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Showing posts from January, 2019

DNA, Telomeres & My Soul

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Could something as astounding as our DNA have come from anywhere else but a loving Creator? More and more often I’m seeing articles and advertisements pop-up, which encourage genetic testing.   The craze to know the secrets held by our DNA  (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)  seems to be increasing rapidly.  So is telomere testing. Telomere health is intriguing. Telomeres are the section of DNA base, paired at the end of the chromosome, they function as a disposable buffers. Telomeres serve to protect the ends of chromosomes from sticking to each other, while protecting genetic information during cell division. Apparently, a short piece of each chromosome is lost every time DNA is replicated. If it were not for telomeres, important genetic information needed to sustain the cell’s activity might vanish.   While I find telomere testing fascinating, I’m not ready to dive in yet, but more and more ppl I come across are collecting their dribble or swabbing their cheeks and sending their tube

Treading Water

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I’ve been getting a little guff recently, all but accused of having a one-track mind - my Messages, Sunday Thoughts and Blog Posts have an all too common theme, LOVE: Jesus (quoting Scripture): “Love the Eternal One your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second [commandment] is nearly as important, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   Maybe my seemingly one track mind can be explained because I’m aging; Or feeling a bit more sentimental. Possibly I’m drawn to the rhythms of love because of what I see and experience in our society. I could blame it on the rain or the fact I grew up in the 60’s. Regardless . . .  If I asked you to describe how you knew you were in love, how would you reply? Maybe you know you are in love because you are:   Being Comfortable & Vulnerable with someone;   Sharing Intimate Details Of Your Life with that special person;   Taking Their Opinions Into Conside

God Said - Oh Please!

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From the church where I had my spiritual awakening, while in seminary, and in the churches where I’ve pastored, I’ve heard and uttered the words: ‘God Said’ I have to confess, the few times I spilled those two words, those seven letters, I felt pretty spiritual. Pretty special.  I also recall hearing other ministers, men in leadership pronouncing, ‘God Said’ And with that phrase all questions were shut down. Discussions ceased. No one is allowed to engage, because of with that statement. After all, who wants to argue with God? But that’s exactly why saying ‘God Said’ can be so dangerous, it's a discussion ender. Let’s be honest with ourselves, often, ‘God Said’ is just hyper-spiritual code for: “I want to” but with a slick spiritual veneer.   I’ve repented of the misuse of this brief but caustic phrase. And I encourage my colleagues and readers of this article to consider the potential harm that follows its use, or the culture that allows it. Does God work through o

After God Show Up

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What does God want to add to your story that wasn’t there before? A Story.  There was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come … The Holy Spirit was upon him … the Spirit led Simeon to the Temple. There he saw Mary and Joseph who came to present the baby Jesus, as the law required. Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God, and prophesied saying: ‘ I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.’ Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Simeon blessed them and added ‘This child is destined … but many will oppose him.’  Regardless, ‘ the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed’ because of him. Let the description and attributes of Simeon sink in for a minute. He was a just and pious man, patient yet full of anticipation; He was led by and in touch with the Holy Spirt. He shared truths: “In the end he (the Christ) will lay bare the secret thoug

Why Bother to Pray?

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Prayer. I pray. I like to pray. Prayer has moved hills and mountains in my life. So I continue to pray as if I know for an absolute fact that the one to whom I'm praying can: Do anything but wrong;  Create something huge out of literally nothing; Ignite the universe with the sound of His voice; Feed 5000 with 5 loaves & 2 fish of some unnamed little kid... #pkes #MinistryinMotion #MetroLifeChurch